Annual WORCA bike swap on Saturday

First Toonie complete

Though a lot of Whistler mountain bikers have been heading north and south to bike since March to ride in Squamish and Pemberton, the season is just starting for most of the knobby tire riders in town.

The first Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA) Toonie Ride of the season was Thursday, May 3, sponsored by Evolution, Alpine Café and TAG Whistler Adventures.

To take part in Toonie Rides you must be a member of WORCA. You can register at the start of the race. WORCA recommendings that people register online at www.worca.com.

The price is $45 adults, $25 for youth 13 to 18 and $15 for children 12 and under.

WORCA has a full slate of programs available, including a few new things like adult bike camps.

Bike Swap was Saturday (May 5)

The annual WORCA bike swap seems to outdo itself every year. Last year's event had a line-up of hundreds before the swap opened to the public at 10 a.m., and during the course of the day volunteers sold $110,000 in bikes and bike gear, roughly 350 items all told, raising almost $13,000 for youth programs.

The 2012 Swap was once again staged at Whistler Olympic Plaza. There was a tag fee of $2 for every item and WORCA keeps a commission of 15 per cent on the first $1,000 and 10 per cent on the balance.

Dirt Camps — Registration T.B.A.

WORCA is hosting nine weeks of youth Dirt Camps over the summer, starting the week of July 2. There are six weeks of camps for kids aged six to nine-years-old and three weeks for youth aged 10 to 12 and teens aged 13 to 15.

The camps are subsidized through events like the Bike Swap, keeping it affordable for families. The price for this year has not been set, but last year the price was $175 for the week, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a maximum ratio of five kids for every one coach.

Adult Dirt Camps — June 11 to 15, June 18 to 22

For the first time this year, WORCA will be hosting adult bike camps. Each camp includes four days of cross-country instruction, the Monday Night Ride, a half-day in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park followed by the Phat Wednesday race, and the Thursday Toonie Ride. The final day will wrap up with dinner and drinks at the BrewHouse. The first camp will run June 11 to 15 and the second from June 18 to 22, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday Night Rides — Monday, May 28

Sponsored by Whistler Bike Co., Back in Action Physiotherapy, Nesters Market, The Wild Wood and WORCA, Monday Night Rides get underway on May 28. Riders meet outside the Whistler Bike Co. at 6 p.m. to be divided into groups by level of difficulty (beginner to expert) then head out on rides around the village at 6:30 p.m. The rides are a great way to learn skills, ride features with the help of spotters and learn about Whistler's trails.

... And More

For more on other WORCA events, like the Phat/PhaSt Wednesday downhill races, youth toonie rides, clinics, trail maintenance and special racing events like the women's only Charlie's Angels (registration opens May 12) and the Four Kings, visit www.worca.com.